letter from Australia
Australia Day is traditionally celebrated across the country with public events, sporting fixtures and diverse festivities. However, for some, it represents a day of shame that should be scrapped.
January 26, 1788 was the date that the First Fleet under Captain Arthur Phillip sailed into Sydney Harbour, bringing a mixture of free settlers and convicts to establish a new colony for the British Crown. Some 237 years later, Australia is a thriving member of the international community, with firm democratic structures and serving as an economic powerhouse in the Asia-Pacific region.
However, some Australians, including some indigenous Australians, are strongly opposed to the national day falling on 26 January, preferring to refer to that date as ‘Invasion Day’. Such opposition to the current Australia Day garners quite strong support from the churches.
